Wisniewski to make debut

James Wisniewski greeted the Montreal media with a few words of French after his first workout with the Canadiens and said he was looking forward to playing against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight. Wisniewski, who will be paired with Yannick Weber, arrived in Tampa late last night after he was delayed by the airline chaos in New York.

Alexandre Picard and the ailing Josh Gorges will be the scratches on defence tonight while Tom Pyatt is the spare forward. Picard has played the last 20 games but has struggled lately. He scored the winning goal in Carolina on Dec. 23 but he has been minus-5 in his last five games.

Carey Price will start in goal. It will be his 35th start in 38 games.

Canadiens need goals. Goals win hockey games, in fact it is the only thing they count towards the final outcome. Everyone who plays with Desharnais scores goals. I don’t care how he does it, he does it well.

Canadiens are too soft and too small on the forward lines I keep
reading, that’s all I read on some days so our solution is bring up a
guy who’s needed extremely generous listings of his height that have him growing about an inch and a half from 2 years ago to be a lofty 5’7″ and
does not have Gionta’s speed, nor the bull strength/aggressiveness of a
Theo Fleury or Francis Boullion, awesome.

I absolutely loathe the leafs, but must admit that Clark was a better than average player, and one mean, nasty SOB who never backed down from a scrum, and always had the back of his teammates. Yes, the Habs desperately need a player with his ability, heart and pugnaciousness.

Just because you’re drafted doesn’t mean you’re making it, look down the list of past WJC squads and there are names there that have been written off as potential NHLers or are spending their careers in the A. Yes many of them stick around in hockey but they’re never making the show.

Most a lot of these players will be able to say in 15 years about their hockey accomplishments is they played for their country in the Under-20s. For some of the European players, only reason they had a reasonable look at the draft was because of their WJC performance and they deserve a decent look, despite what Dan Chorra might have to say about them being in ‘our game’.

The Tournament is flawed certainly, but the European programs are not to be written off. The SWE/FIN goaltending programs are a vast help to the NHL with their production rate while Canada falls behind (and they have a superior philosophy towards training and developing goalies as well).

No doubt about the cash grab aspect of it. I posted a comment much earlier today about that. Unfortunately, that aspect of hockey, or any other sport, is a fact of life today. The Olympics, the biggest world stage for hockey, is no different. To the organizers, and host countries in particular, it’s all about the money. Why do you think Bettman wants to hold out? He wants a bigger cut for the NHL. As far as people losing interest…how can we accurately gauge the interest or lack of interest in the Junior game, or hockey in general, in the countries overseas? These games are not rotated back and forth between Canada and the US only. And when the games are played overseas, I see the games being played to full houses. It’s the only thing we have access to when it comes to gauging hockey outside of North America. There are years, like this one, where there is a shortage of big name junior players in this tournament. I think that would account for any lack of interest.

I will say one thing regarding the “maple leaf emblazoned hockey orgy”. It can definitely be embarrassing at times. How about Canadian fans booing the Canadian player of the game because they wanted Schenn to be named player of the game instead? How embarrassing is that? Of course the reason is that anything named Schenn quickly becomes synonymous with Toronto Maple Leafs, and many of the Canadian fans attending come from southern Ontario, which is dominated by that blue and white mentality. But to boo one of our own? Disgustingly embarrassing.

Plus, hockey programs in Europe and elsewhere except North America are dying very quickly. Hockey as a sport is currently, and looks like it will be exclusively, dominated by USA and Canada for a very long time.

Finland, Sweeden and Russia can be good teams, but none come close to North America at this tourney. In the past 4 years, only 4 countries have won medals. The rest play for nothing.

Ken makes an excellent point when he says that it’s become a money-grabber for Hockey Canada and TSN. They promote these massive marketing campaigns on how it’s such a classic event, yet the tourney has died down to a sometimes 4 teams showdown, but most often a Canada-USA domination. The network makes big money, as does Hockey Canada, and the players get nothing from it.

The tournament is always held in Canada, or a bordering city of Canada, because it’s the only place in the world where people are actually crazy enough to pay big money to watch Canada kill Norway 10-1. Not to mention someone here even said parking is like 40$. This is because they know if it’s held in Europe, nobody would go. And like Ken also says, it gives Canada home-ice advantage every year. And as all hockey people know, home-ice advantage is huge.

For me, I don’t even pay much attention anymore until Canada hits the semis. It’s just not worth watching a 10-1 or 7-2 game. I’d much rather watch these kids play with their Junior teams. Closer games, even talent, etc…

And the global talent pool of hockey players is being trimmed every year. Not as many kids playing. Global scouting IMO isn’t as important now as it was 5-10 years ago. There are some great players here and there, but North America is where probably 90% of the best players are.

Hockey exists outside the NHL you know? The truth is the NHL is a business before it is a sports franchise whether you like it or not, it’s reality. How does not cracking the NHL equate to leaving hockey behind?

The bottom 4 teams are generally ‘Out’ by the time the puck hits the ice, but the Under-20 usually features at least 4 teams making an honest run at Gold. Team Sweden looks very strong and the Finns are tenacious enough to make things interesting IMO. You could probably trim the Tournament to 6 teams easily, but to be fair to some of these young players, it is the only time some of these guys can get a scout’s attention if they’re playing out of Europe, with a great WJC performance and for others, it is the only time they will have national attention, a lot of them will not be NHL players but this is their one chance to be part of something before they must leave hockey behind.

You can all find it on the Hockey News website or in their newest magazine.

He points out how the tournament has pretty much become a joke, and nothing more than a “maple leaf emblazoned hockey orgy”…

I must say that in the past 5 years I’ve lost alot of interest for the tournament. I found it exciting and not predictable like it is today.

But if you guys have the time, read his article. It’s great how he explains that all it has become is a way for TSN and Hockey Canada to rack up millions of dollars, in a tournament that’s almost about as predictable than womens hockey.

With his compete level, it’s a crime Ryan White is not on this team. I realise he’s been hurt, but if not for contracts he made this team out of camp. I don’t have a problem with letting the guy develop, but he’s good enough now.

Desharnais may be a better AHL player but he lacks the same two things that keeps Locke out of the NHL, speed and size. He doesn’t have a gear in his skating like St. Louis or Gionta does that lets him outpace nearly anyone nor does he have what can be described as an excessive level of strength for his size like other small NHL players have had, he’s easily moved by other players and avoids hits whenever he can, if he’s really outmatched physically in the A, I fail to see how he stands up to the NHL.

I am not opposed to that, although Eller is one of the few guys who plays every night. Probably as much a factor of age as anything, and of course smarts. Eller makes Pouliot better, not sure Laps does.

Good try, but I think Desharanis is much better. His progression has been much faster. Anyone we throw with him works.

I don’t think Corey Locke or Size are good enough reasons against giving him a chance.

His career trends follow Martin St. Louis’ not so unfavourably (AHL 95 games, 118 pts). Not saying he is the next Martin St. Louis. But, this was the same age St. Louis made the jump … they are similar in size and production. What’s to lose?!?

You keep on hating there, TX. You’re good at that. What you’re not good at is enlightened comments. How about you read a bit about the player first, learn that he can and has played both sides, is experienced and is paired with a strong, physical D on the roster tonight, like The Wiz. Let’s see how this pairing works out before passing premature judgement shall we?

I was talking about the “NEW” guy? Get enlightened before responding as it seems you see RED at my every posting.

The “Wiz” is NEW to the team, NEW to the SYSTEM and JM is playing him on his WRONG side with a WEAK partner.

Get it?

As for the “premature” aspect I have no need of VIAGRA for a while.

I don’t HATE anyone. To be concerned about some of JM’s coaching decisions of which I am not the only one, is part of being a fan. You are obviously happy with the play of the team and of JM’s roster moves. Fine, that is your perogative and opinion. I don’t denigrate your opinions, I accept them as a difference in outlook. Having a different outlook does not make one a troll, a hater or an idiot.

Funny how us “TROLLS” almost never attack those with differing opinions and or cry about it. We attack the misguided decisions of the coach and management when we see it as such.

ps JIMVINNY said basically the same thing and yet you only called me a “hater”……strange

“I don’t like to keep kids like that out of the lineup. They need to play; that’s how they’re going to get better.” Jacques Martin

Insulting total strangers is for losers and douche bags. Which one are you?

Feel free to accept both.

Yes I have insulted JM and he is a stranger to me. But he is also a public figure, so there is not quite the contradiction you might think. Insulting someone on a personal level, rather than intelligently countering the argument or ignoring it, is my point. It is socially acceptable to be critical of public figures. At any rate, my beef is with JM’s coaching and roster moves not the man personally. I will endeavor in the future to insult his actions not the man.

“I don’t like to keep kids like that out of the lineup. They need to play; that’s how they’re going to get better.” Jacques Martin

Hey Child, you’re back. You course you are, because it’s the pattern. Habs lose two and you return. Habs win you disappear. Of course when you eventually come back you always say you were busy. But you always show up only after the Habs lose two games.

TripleX Dec 23 12:46 — “How about this? Let us watch the Devils over the next 15 games and see what a difference a great coach can have on a team. If the Devils don’t improve dramatically then JM IS a genius.”

Its fun to tie a record with the likes of Mario Lemieux, but common schenn, you’re playing against NORWAY!

Whats so impressive about a player, who has already seen time in the NHL, scoring 4 goals in a 10-2 romp of Norway? I thought it was pretty unclassy to not only run up the score to that extent, but to steal a goal from a teammate just so you can have a piece of a record.

I dont usually mind running up the score in pro games, and definitely take exception to coaches who take exception to the opposition running up the score, but this is junior hockey, and its Norway! They aren’t exactly a hockey power. People expect canada to beat norway 10-2, its not all that impressive. Now, if canada beat the USA 10-2, it would not only be impressive, but I would love every minute of it.

He does, but there’s a couple of reasons to pair him with another righty. First of all, it gives one of them a decent opportunity at a one-timer. Secondly, with three lefties and three righties in the line-up, it would make perfect sense to adjust the pairings to have one lefty with each righty. And God knows Martin isn’t going to do something that makes sense.

Typical move by the brilliant JM to put the new guy on his wrong side and pair him with the weakest partner to boot. I really think JM has a desire to see players fail. I know, I know, it makes no sense. But his roster moves make no sense either.

Is there something wrong with having his Dmen playing all on their normal sides?

“I don’t like to keep kids like that out of the lineup. They need to play; that’s how they’re going to get better.” Jacques Martin

My guess is that this move has more to do with matching up against Stamkos’ line. Who else but Hammer and Spacek can realistically be assigned to them? Who’s gonna suggest we experiment with breaking up the Old Czechs against Guy Boucher and co.? That pushes us towards the other two match ups – can’t really have Gill and Weber, or Weber and Subban together, can we? Not many other options than what JM is going with.

JM and Montreal management are infallible Ed. You should get with the program dude.

Remember when we said Carbo was a terrible coach and needed to go? Well, the HIO posse called us trolls and idiots. Of course when Gainey fired him it was justified.

I have no doubt JM will be pushed upstairs sooner than later. But as always the real problem is situated on the top floors. PG is just a clone of his mentor who is always one step behind. I am very dissillusioned about ever seeing a Cup in Montreal.

“I don’t like to keep kids like that out of the lineup. They need to play; that’s how they’re going to get better.” Jacques Martin

I don’t totally disagree. Although those slow old top two D geezers have had pretty darn good results together this season (our stumbling status as a top defensive team is not all Price’s handy work

But is tonight the night to make such a change? Perhaps. But for the context. No way JM is going to reward PK like that right now. A lot of this recent turmoil has to do with the dynamics behind the scenes. And I guess PK is at the centre of that. Even if you don’t like JM (I happen to think he has proven himself nicely since taking over a radically remade team in the summer of 2009), do we really want him to lose the respect of his players? He has to follow things through and be consistent. These benchings of Subban might have been justified by his horrendous on ice plays, but they were primarily about addressing deeper dynamics. Can’t dramatically switch gears and reward him with a top pairing in the middle of straightening out his rookie attitude.

Gill and Gorges were the primary defenders against Crosby though and ATM, Subban is not playing to his best ability. Factor in the last game we played against TBL, his former coach, Guy Boucher seemed to know a few strategies to expose the weaknesses of a player he coached for a year and developed for the NHL level. Perhaps giving Boucher’s #1 weapon Stamkos a match-up against a player Boucher knows very well is not ideal?

And amazing performance in the playoffs doesn’t mean anything right now, just ask Cammalleri or Lapierre. Remember when we were madmen for giving up Moore? He’s had something like 3 points in his last 15 games and is a -18. What happened in April-May doesn’t mean much right now.

Ed, are you sure PK would be the best at shuting down Stamkos? It seems Subban can’t stop anyone let alone Stamkos.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Gill and Gorges, Montreal’s slowest D, do most of the defensive work against Wash and Pitt in the playoffs? Maybe Martin is planning on using Gill and Subban as his shutdown pair tonight.

Thoughtful posters will question the coach and management when they make mistakes. I just happen to think that Bob, the Goat, and Jacques have done most things right since June 2009. I have my reasons and offer them. You have yours for seeing things differently.

How bout we stick to that and cut the hyperbole about “infallibility”, “the program”, clones, etc, etc. It’s all a bit much, and a bit boring.

Team Canada takes a hit, Jaden Schwartz, formerly of the top line has a fractured ankle and will miss the rest of the tournament. His offence will be missed, he had a goal and 2 assists in the first two games of the series.

Leblanc is tied for 3rd in scoring on Team Canada with 2G, 3A so far. Joonas Nattinen is the only member of Team Finland to have more than 1 goal, with 3 goals in 3GP so far, scoring the first goal for FIN in all three games.

sweeden game will be a good one to watch. Props to team canada as well for the norway victory… that game could have ended much worse in regards to the score and the canadian kids calmed it down. good job by the coaching staff not to run up a stupid score.